DCPS can't handle 'Middle Schools'? This is why Kaya Henderson needs to go

[Anonymous]

I watched the hearing. She showed up 15 mins late and all but said "F you" to Catania. I'm not in love with the guy either, but she was flat out disrespectful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing I did find interesting about kaya's testimony- AP academy. She mentioned that she was looking into establishing an AP academy for students of all HS to attend. Since she could not justify full AP classes at some of the under enrolled HS, it would be beneficial to have a stand alone academy with different subject matters. I hope this materializes.

Exactly how is it a good idea to take AP classes away from underenrolled high schools?

She said that should could not fiscally justify having all the requisite AP classes in a HS with low enrollment. The only HS in the city with an enrollment for which she could justify more than a handful of AP courses was Wilson. PP, do you think that only the students at Wilson should be afforded the opportunity of a smorgasbord of AP courses, while students at other schools are offered only three or four?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I watched the hearing. She showed up 15 mins late and all but said "F you" to Catania. I'm not in love with the guy either, but she was flat out disrespectful.

I liked the bit where he made the backhanded remark about councilmembers being asked not to micromanage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:perhaps it's less about it being hard or easy and more about the fact that it's just not an option to NOT do it. To say as School's Chancellor that you're going to funnel middle schoolers to charters is to basically say you've given up. Middle schoolers have always existed in education, it's not like this age group just suddenly arrived in the city or the planet. They are here to stay and to throw your hands up is pretty rediculous.

+1 It is an abrogation of her responsibility as chancellor to give up. If she can't do it, she should step aside for someone who is at least willing to try.

[Anonymous]

I have to agree saying we can't do Middle Schools was BS. Frankly, yes middle school is hard but it can be done, maybe not at the level white ward 3 parents want but there are schools that are taking kids with low SES and getting them to levels that they can choose to succeed. What I find frustrating are the number of kids that are reaching high school that have so few skills it really does become impossible for them to succeed. That said, elementary schools have to do better.

[Anonymous]

She's not very good, is she? I don't really see DCPS making much progress under her stewardship.

[Anonymous]

Was Michelle Rhee any better? I don't mean to bring her back up but who do you all suggest lead DCPS?

[Anonymous]

She started her career as a middle school Spanish teacher in the South Bronx! Interesting...

Does anyone have her testimony on video? Couldn't find it online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was Michelle Rhee any better? I don't mean to bring her back up but who do you all suggest lead DCPS?

There are many fish in the sea. I would suggest someone who doesn't want to turn middle school over to charter operators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's not very good, is she? I don't really see DCPS making much progress under her stewardship.

She must receive a vote of no confidence for making this kind of a statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She started her career as a middle school Spanish teacher in the South Bronx! Interesting...

Does anyone have her testimony on video? Couldn't find it online.

Rhee bought her on board, would she have got that position if Rhee wasn't around and she applied on her own merit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to agree saying we can't do Middle Schools was BS. Frankly, yes middle school is hard but it can be done, maybe not at the level white ward 3 parents want but there are schools that are taking kids with low SES and getting them to levels that they can choose to succeed. What I find frustrating are the number of kids that are reaching high school that have so few skills it really does become impossible for them to succeed. That said, elementary schools have to do better.

Again, this is more a fantasy than an actual ideal that can be achieved. If it could, it would be done. But it's rare and far between and takes just the right person. And those "right persons" are in short supply. What I have learned being in a low SES school is that for the bulk of kids, the best you can really do is aim for low average and hope at least 50% of the kids get there.

[Anonymous]

It makes me wonder if any true effort is going into middle schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP- completely agree. If she can't find a way to make better MS options, how can she be chancellor of the system?

She was never qualified to run DC's school system and Catania's oversight is finally pulling the veil from some people's eyes. It is time to recruit a professional cadre from some other city clear out the bloated Central Office with professionals who will live in DC and put their kids in our schools.

If they don't have skin in the game, they have no business running our schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP- completely agree. If she can't find a way to make better MS options, how can she be chancellor of the system?

She was never qualified to run DC's school system and Catania's oversight is finally pulling the veil from some people's eyes. It is time to recruit a professional cadre from some other city clear out the bloated Central Office with professionals who will live in DC and put their kids in our schools.

If they don't have skin in the game, they have no business running our schools.

Um... Kaya's two kids are in DCPS.